CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application entitled “INSERT, PLASTIC PART ASSEMBLY UTILIZING SAME AND DIE-CASTING MOLD FOR MAKING THE INSERT” filed on the same day as this application and having U.S. Serial No.______ and Attorney Docket No. LEAR 43919 PUS.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments described herein relate to a junction box assembly.

BACKGROUND

Junction box assemblies are configured to contain a plurality of electrical devices such as fuses, connectors and the like. When installed in a vehicle, it is desirable that the electronics within the junction box assembly remain free of fluids and debris that could damage the electronics. Accordingly, designers have developed a number of sealing mechanisms in an effort to protect the electronics from undesirable elements. However, many of these sealing mechanisms fail over time due to excessive wear and/or movement/vibration of the junction box assembly walls.

Additionally, it is well known that conventional junction box assemblies require a minimal level of rigidity to prevent deforming of the junction box assembly walls. Furthermore, it is known that the junction box assembly typically requires a member(s) for positioning and stabilizing the electronics within the junction box. A conventional junction box assembly designed to address the above needs is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 includes the interior portions of a conventional junction box. The junction box has side wall ribs 60, a positioning member 62, and a positioning member 64. Ribs 60, which are thinly molded members, provide structural support to the sidewalls of the junction box assembly. However, after manufacturing of ribs 60, it is known that imprints of ribs 60 may appear on the outer surface of are the junction box assembly. This is highly undesirable to customers.

Positioning members 62 and 64 provide a means for holding the electronics (not shown). The positioning members 62 and 64 are burdensome to manufacture. As such, with the conventional junction box assembly the ribs 60 and positioning members 62 and 64 are required for providing structural support and positioning of the electronics.

Furthermore, junction box assemblies are commonly located within an engine compartment of a vehicle. In such a case, access to the electronics within the junction box assembly is compromised by the construction of the junction box assembly. Specifically, the design of the hinges on conventional junction box assemblies prevents easy removal of a cover of the junction box assembly. It is known that conventional junction box assemblies require two hands for removal of the junction box assembly cover. An example of such a conventional junction is shown in FIG. 6. The prior art junction box hash a hinge bracket 76 and a hinge member 78. As stated above, conventional junction boxes, such as the junction box in FIG. 6, require two hands to remove the cover from the junction box assembly due to the hinge brackets 76 and 78.

The embodiments described herein were conceived in view of these and other disadvantages of conventional junction box assemblies.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a junction box assembly configured to enclose an electrical assembly. The junction box assembly includes a junction box cover having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion have a closure member integrated thereto. The closure member has an opening for receiving a locking member. The lower portion also has a first latch and a second latch extending therefrom, wherein the first latch terminates at a first engagement portion and the second latch terminates at a second engagement portion.

A base member is also included, which has a plurality of connecting sidewalls that extend from a bottom wall to form a cavity. In one embodiment, one wall includes a first hinging member and a second hinging member that are configured to receive the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively. A second sidewall has a blocking member that engages the closure member. The locking member is configured to force the closure member against the locking member when the locking member is received within the opening of the closure member, thereby securing the junction box cover to the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the embodiments herein are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further advantages thereof, may be best understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a junction box assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are enlarged illustrations of a locking member and a closure member shown in FIG. 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 provides a detailed illustration of a base member of FIG. 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a junction box assembly having a junction box cover separated from a base member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of an hinging mechanism for a junction box assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of a seal for a junction box assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged illustrations of a grommet positioner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a prior art junction box assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a prior art junction box assembly illustrating a conventional hinging mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ in the present invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a junction box assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The junction box assembly 10 may be formed through an injection molding process. Additionally, the junction box assembly 10 may be formed of a polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, and/or any other filled or unfilled plastic materials.

Junction box assembly 10 includes a junction box cover 12 and a base member 14. An upper portion 12 a and a lower portion 12 b form junction box cover 12. As will be describe below, the lower portion 12 b includes a sealing member that enables the junction box cover to be sealed to the base member 14. The upper portion 12 a and lower portion 12 b have a closure member 16 integrated thereto. The closure member 16 enables the junction box cover 12 to be secured to the base member 14.

Closure member 16 includes an opening 16 a for receiving a locking member 18. As shown in FIG. 1B, the locking member 18 includes a first end 18 a and a second end 18 b. The second end 18 b has a shape that corresponds to the shape of opening 16 a. The first end 18 a is substantially flat to enable the locking member 18 to be pushed into the opening 16 a or pulled from opening 16 a. Inserting locking member 18 fully into the opening 16 a secures junction box cover 12 to base member 14. Alternatively, pulling locking member 18 out of opening 16 a allows movement of junction box cover 12.

As shown, closure member 16 also includes a closure member panel 16 d. In FIG. 1C, the opening 16 a is defined by the closure member panel 16 d and brackets 16 d. Brackets 16 b are L-shaped brackets that extend from the closure member panel to define the opening 16 a. The closure member 16 also includes multiple biasing members 16 c. Biasing members 16 c help bias the locking member 18 away from the junction box assembly 10 in the direction of closure member panel 16 d when the locking member is received within opening 16 a.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1A, the base member 14 includes a plurality of connected sidewalls 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d. Sidewalls 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d extend from a bottom wall 15 to form a cavity within the base member 14. As recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, the cavity is an area within the base member for enclosing an electrical assembly (not shown) such as a fuse and or electrical distribution box.

As shown, sidewall 14 b includes a blocking member 24. The blocking member 24 is rigidly formed to project outward away from base member 14 to inhibit movement of closure panel 16 d when the locking member 18 is received within opening 16 a. When locking member 18 is received within opening 16 a, the closure member panel 16 d is forced outward until it contacts blocking member 24. As locking member 18 is fully inserted in opening 16 a, the closure member panel 16 d is forced against blocking member 24 thereby establishing a secure fitting between junction box cover 12 and base member 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed illustration of base member 14 is provided. As described in the foregoing, base member 14 includes a plurality of connected sidewalls 14 a-14 d and a bottom wall 15 that define a cavity 17. The sidewalls 14 a-14 d include an upper area 21 that is located at the top of sidewalls 14 a-14 d. Multiple positioners 20 are integrated with at least one sidewall and enable positioning and securing of the electrical assembly (not shown) within the base member. Positioners 20 have a substantially rectangular shape and a top side 20 a that is in close proximity to upper area 21. In one embodiment, the top side 20 a is less than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the top of the sidewalls 14 a-14 d. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein do not require structural ribs in addition to positioning members for positioning an electrical assembly and providing structural support to the junction box sidewalls. The positioners 20 are configured to provide robustness to the sidewalls and optimally position the electrical assembly within the junction box assembly.

Integrated with bottom wall 15 are drainage members 23. The drainage members cover a drain holes 22 that allow fluids within base member 14 to exit. Drainage members 23 extend from the bottom wall 15 and have a top 23 a and sides 23 b. The top 23 a and sides 23 b enable fluids that enter the junction box assembly to be channeled in a substantially horizontal direction so as to minimize the chance of fluids reaching the electrical assembly enclosed therein.

Now, referring to FIG. 3A, an alternative view of a junction box is shown. In this view, junction box cover 12 is shown having latches 28 and 29. Lower portion 12 b has latches 28 and 29 extending therefrom. Latch 28 terminates at an engagement portion 28 a, while latch 29 terminates at an engagement portion 29 a. Additionally, base member 14 includes hinging members 32 and 30. The hinging member 32 and 30 are configured to receive the engagement portion 28 a and 29 a respectively. The configuration of the engagement portion 29 a and 28 a coupled with the configuration of hinging members 30 and 32 enable the junction box cover 12 to be lifted slightly and rotated 10 degrees or less in reference to the base member to remove the junction box cover 12. As such, removal of junction box cover 12 does not require two hands as with prior art junction box assemblies. FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of latch 29 having engagement portion 29 a received by hinging member 30.

FIG. 3A also illustrates a grommet positioner 34 that defines a grommet opening for receiving a grommet. As recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, the grommet is a sealing device through which wires enter the junction box assembly for connection to the internal electrical assembly. The grommet positioner 34 as shown is U-shaped and defines a grommet opening.

Referring to FIG. 3C, an enlarged cross-sectional view of junction box cover 12 and sidewall 14 d is shown. Sidewall 14 d includes a ledge 38 that projects laterally outward from sidewall 14 d. As illustrated, the lower portions 12 b of junction box cover 12 include a sealing member which may be formed of an elastic material. The sealing member may be a single or multiple sealing members. Accordingly, the sealing member includes an internal sidewall sealing portion 40 and a top edge sealing portion 42. As the junction box cover 12 is installed on the base member 14, the junction between the junction box cover and the base member is sealed to minimize fluid ingress.

Now, referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, enlarged views of grommet positioner 34 are provided. The grommet positioner 34 helps ensure optimal placement of a grommet into the base member 14. Accordingly, the grommet positioner includes a rim 48 that extends substantially normal from sidewalls of the base member 14. A flange also extends downward from rim 48 to be substantially parallel with the sidewalls. Accordingly, the rim 48 and flange 50 define the opening for the grommet.

A grommet positioner lip 46 is integrally molded with flange 50. Grommet positioner lip 46 is located at the bottom of the U-shaped grommet positioner 34. Grommet positioner lip 46 extends from flange 50 in a direction away from the cavity within the base member. In FIG. 4B, a view looking outward from cavity 17 of grommet positioner 34 is provided.

Within the cavity 17, are multiple projections 54. Projections 54 are located within the cavity 17 and have a first side 54 a and a second side 54 b. First side 54 a extends upward in a direction away from bottom wall in a manner that is substantially parallel with a sidewall. Additionally, the first side 54 a terminates at the second side 54 b. The second side which is located at the bottom of the grommet positioner has a position that is normal to the sidewall. The projections 54 form a guide for the positioning of a grommet within the opening defined by grommet positioner 34.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.